Total pages in book: 101
Estimated words: 96808 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 484(@200wpm)___ 387(@250wpm)___ 323(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 96808 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 484(@200wpm)___ 387(@250wpm)___ 323(@300wpm)
“I’m going to cover Rico and Fredrico. Something is wrong,” I say.
“They told us to stay here.”
“They also taught me how to help. I can sit here with you and be safe, or I can go out there and cover my man. You know me by now. What do you think I’m going to do?”
“Wait, I don’t want to be here alone.”
“Stay low. You’re going to be fine,” I say quickly and grab my gun from my bag to have a backup.
I tuck it into the back of my pants and place the spare helmet on my head. Taking a deep breath, I pop the door open and jump out.
I can hear my breathing in my own ears as I close the door behind me and move forward with my gun out. I’ve trained in one of these helmets, so it’s not as distracting or jarring as it had been the first time I had to wear one. However, we train with blanks and paintballs.
I’ve just jumped into live action. These bullets are meant to kill. These guys are trying to hurt the people I care about.
I race forward, shooting as I go. I hit one guy, and he falls back. I don’t have time to think about it, as I have to take out the next guy before I slide behind Rico’s car. Mario is by the front, firing then ducking. I reach for the door where Fredrico is. It’s completely smashed in, and I can’t tug it open.
I look into the car and see he’s lying across the seat. However, I can’t tell if he’s alive or not. I glance into the front, and I see Rico slumped forward against the dash.
I snap into action, needing to get around to the other side of the car. The problem is that’s the side taking fire. Just then, a car races to the gate of the driveway we were going to turn into. Men hop out on the other side of the gate then rush to start firing at the assholes shooting at us.
I take this as my chance. I dart around the car and jump into the back seat, where Fredrico is. He groans and looks up at me. There’s confusion written all over his face at first.
The helmets are black and gold, like the tattoos many of Rico’s men have. I’m sure he knows I’m one of theirs, he’s just not sure who.
“Oni?” he chokes out.
I nod as I check him over. His head is bleeding, but other than that, I don’t think he’s been hit. The back windshield blows out, causing me to jump and scream.
Looking into the front seat, I can see Rico still isn’t moving. I go to kick into action, ready to climb into the front seat to help him, but gunfire outside the car pulls my attention.
I look up to find Emilia has gotten out of the SUV. She looks confused and scared out of her mind. That’s when I see the asshole aiming at her.
I don’t have time to think. I pull my gun and aim, but I’m out of bullets. Then I pull my spare, but it jams. There’s no time for this.
I rush out of the car and run for Emilia. I pull a clip and try to reload as I get to her. At the last second, I reload and make it to her.
Jumping in front of Emilia, I turn and aim. I pull the trigger and catch the asshole between the eyes, but not before a burning sensation hits my shoulder.
“Oni, oh my God, Oni,” Emilia screams as I fall into her.
We drop to the ground as pain sears through me. There’s a ton of commotion happening around us, but I start to lose focus. Oh, I’m hit. I think to myself.
“Here, apply pressure. We need to get her to a hospital now,” Mario calls out.
I want to cry out as someone presses into the pain. Shit, my mom is going to be so angry. Then everything goes black.
CHAPTER 23
Going to Italy
Claude
I look Fredrico Gallo Sr. in the eyes as a storm rages within me. My niece was in a shootout and took a bullet for one of these motherfuckers. This is exactly what I was afraid of.
“I’m sending her back home,” I say tightly.
“That wouldn’t be wise,” Emilio says as he appears out of nowhere. “This problem is coming from New York. Oni is in more danger there than here with us. Once they figure out what she means to Rico, this will be a problem.”
I spin on him and glare. While I’m grateful to him and his men for getting Oni to the hospital safely, I know this man. This only happened because he allowed it. It’s one of the reasons I hate fucking with him.
This wouldn’t be the first time he could have prevented something concerning my family. He’s lucky I haven’t taken his head off. I’m close—the consequences be damned. I clench my fists as his words sink in.